Muggers target schoolchildren on 'ghost town' streets created by hated low traffic neighbourhood zone that caused so much chaos in south London that even Sadiq Kan turned against it

Teachers have been patrolling a 'ghost town' low traffic neighbourhood where gangs of thieves have been targeting pupils on the unnaturally quiet streets.

Staff at Bishop Thomas Grant school in Streatham, south London have been walking streets adjacent to school which has been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted inspectors.

The secondary school is inside the Streatham Wells LTN which was introduced by the Labour-controlled Lambeth Council in October 2023.

Locals have complained that the traffic restrictions have led to problems on the main A23 which affect buses serving the area.

According to The Telegraph, the impact on public transport is so severe that teachers are forced to stand on street to protect pupils from gangs patrolling the streets near the school.

Head teacher Bernadette Boyle told the paper the LTN had created a 'ghost town' complaining that delays on public transport are leaving pupils late for school, while others have been targeted by gangs.

Ms Boyle said: 'I sent a letter to Lambeth, and the local schools police sergeant, as we saw an increase in our students being mugged on ‘ghost town’ roads as they walked towards the [Streatham] High Road to try to get on buses which do not come.

'We regularly patrol the local area after school… As is the case on many occasions, the children wait nearly an hour for a bus to get home.

'We hang about between the bus stops with them to make sure that they get on to transport and are safe… it is having a huge impact on my time and the time of my senior leadership team.'

Ms Boyle said buses on Streatham High Road have been slowed down to approximately 1.5mph, which is causing punctuality problems for her 1,200 pupils.

She said poor attendance and punctuality affects the educational attainment of pupils.

She also said her staff are being impacted by considerable traffic delays in the area.

Even Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was forced to admit the LTN had led to heavy traffic impacting bus services.

Lambeth Council 'suspended' the LTN in March due to the considerable public backlash against the scheme, admitting they had been warned of an increase in crime in the area.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Telegraph: 'We are aware of concerns raised by the head teacher and continue to work with the school, including through our dedicated schools officer, to address these. The safety of young people in Streatham, including students at this school, are of paramount importance to local police.'

Lambeth Council said they are 'committed' to reducing toxic air pollution and wanted to encourage people to use 'sustainable green transport'.

The council said: 'There’s no evidence that reduced traffic on streets increases crime – however, there is evidence that LTN traffic reductions do improve neighbourhoods.'